Notes, quotes and observations from Raiders-Broncos game

The Denver Broncos are churning out the victories like clockwork these days, while the Raiders are wondering when they’re going to win just one more game. Such is the nature of how these two teams are headed in opposite directions.
Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer said the Raiders aren’t real close to winning games right now, which counts as quite an understatement.
“I wouldn’t say that we’re on the cusp of it,” Palmer said. “I wouldn’t say it’s really close. Obviously, with some of the scores of these games and each week is something different. It’s been a handful of different things that have stopped us from being successful on offense, and I know you’ve just got to keep grinding, keep working.”
Head coach Dennis Allen said he liked what he saw from his team tonight.
“Our team fought tonight,” Allen said. “We came up on the short end of the stick. The Denver Broncos were the better team tonight, but our guys fought and that’s what I want to see the remaining three games of the year. I want to see our guys fight and compete because that’s what it takes to win in this league.”

— Tight end Brandon Myers caught one pass for 7 yards on Thursday night. That’s quite a turnaround from the 14 for 130 he recorded against the Cleveland Browns four days earlier.
The Broncos did a nice job of keeping tabs on Myers the entire game. Palmer targeted Myers only twice all night. On the one Myers didn’t catch, cornerback Champ Bailey intercepted the pass and returned it 18 yards.

— Rookie Rod Streater turned in another solid game. He caught four passes for 100 yards, including a nice grab of a pass in double coverage that turned into a 58-yard gain.
Streater amassed 96 yards receiving against the Browns and quietly is turning into Oakland’s most-reliable receiver.
Fellow rookie Juron Criner caught two passes for 24 yards. The only other pass thrown his way was right on the money, but Criner failed to haul it in.
For the record, it would have counted as a nice catch by Criner. I’m sure he’ll be the first to admit that he should have caught the ball. However, it’s likely that it won’t be considered a drop.
Darrius Heyward-Bey and Denarius Moore combined for nine catches for 125 yards. Heyward-Bey turned one of his receptions into a 56-yard touchdown by making a nice move near the sideline and finding a clear lane to the end zone.

— Running back Darren McFadden finally made his much-awaited return after missing four straight games with a high-ankle sprain.
As it turned out, McFadden looked no better than he did the first eight games when he averaged 3.3 yards per carry.
McFadden broke free for a 36-yard run at one point, but he averaged only 1.6 yards on his 10 other rushes.
Meanwhile, the Broncos backs racked up 143 yards on 36 carries, with Knowshon Moreno totaling 119.
“We wanted to give him an opportunity to get the ball and we did that … ,” Allen said. “The touchdown down there in the red zone on the screen play (to McFadden) was an outstanding

— The Broncos controlled the ball for a whopping 37 minutes, 19 seconds Thursday night. That’s one of the many benefits of having Manning at the control and the ability to complete a high percentage of passes.
Manning completed 26 of 36 passes for 310 yards and one touchdown. The Raiders sacked Manning three times, but almost every time the Broncos needed to convert a third-down play, Manning found an open receiver and kept alive drives.
Palmer actually finished with a higher passer rating than Palmer, for what it’s worth, which isn’t much. He completed 19 of 30 for 273 yards and two touchdowns.
Palmer’s decent showing was undone by the interception and a fumble at his own 2-yard line, which set up a Broncos touchdown that turned the game into a one-sided affair.
“Being backed up like that, I’ve got to throw the ball out of bounds,” Palmer said.

— Cornerback Phillip Adams did quite a fine job in extensive action tonight, with starter Michael Huff leaving the game with a wrist injury.
On one play, Adams recovered on a play that looked to be a sure touchdown and made a diving interception at the goal line.
“I was just doing what I was told to do,” Adams said. “It wasn’t anything too crazy.”
Adams played much better than Ron Bartell, the other starting cornerback. Time and again, Manning went after Bartell, and he enjoyed great success.
It’s unclear the extent of Huff’s injury. However, Adams made a convincing case for more playing time the final three games.
“I just keep working,” Adams said. “I just keep working every day and I try to put myself in the best positions possible for my teammates. They hold me accountable, and I hold them accountable. I always want to be where I need to be for them.”

— Second-year quarterback Terrelle Pryor was among the 46 players active for the Raiders for the second straight game. And, for the second straight game, Pryor did not play a single down.
At some point, the Raiders need to take a look at Pryor, especially if a game reaches the point where the outcome has been decided. That time should have been when the Broncos extended their lead to 26-7 late in the third quarter.
As it were, Palmer played the entire game for the 13th straight time.
“We’ve had a package in for Terrelle in both games,” Allen said. “But, again, like I said, we had 47 plays in the game tonight, so the situation didn’t play out. Terrelle will continue to be on our active game-day roster, and we’ll continue to carry a package of plays for him.”

— Allen spoke with the media for the first time since he returned from Texas, where he was with his family as his father passed away.
Allen departed for Texas after the Browns game Sunday night and returned Wednesday morning. His father, Grady, died Tuesday morning at the age of 66.
“I went home on Sunday and took my father off life support, and that’s not easy to do,” Allen said. “So, was it hard? Yeah, it was hard. But I know my father would want me to be here with this football team. And I wanted to be here with this football team. I’m sure you guys can imagine that it wasn’t an easy situation.”
Allen received widespread support from the Raiders, other teams and fans during his trying time.
“A ton,” Allen said. “A ton. I received a lot of support from a lot of different people. This organization has been outstanding to me, as far as that’s concerned. The players, the coaches, as well as countless friends, family, even people around the league, have been very supportive of this situation.”

If Reggie can sucker a team into giving a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick for McFadden and pick up one of those guys, the running game will be fine.

inonewordraider

DMAC Says:
December 7th, 2012 at 10:40 am
Mistic
The time couldn’t be any more perfect for TP6 to finally see some action.
__________
you aint never lied, if he doesn’t it’s our selfish coaches looking out for themselves not the future of the organization

SilverNBlackPA

Mistic @ #700…agreed.

It’s now or never to start Pryor. Long week, time to work out a full gameplan, get all the first team snaps, Palmer not playing well and the season is over so it’s easy to justify the switch etc etc etc.

I’ve been a staunch DA defender but if he doesn’t start Pryor against KC, my estimation of him will take a big blow.

R8drinOK

DMAC Says:
December 7th, 2012 at 10:40 am
Mistic
The time couldn’t be any more perfect for TP6 to finally see some action.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Might as well gives the kid some snaps…I hope he doesn’t embarrass himself though. He seems pretty green. I’m pulling for him though..he’s a hard worker polar opposite of krispy kreme #2.

If Reggie can sucker a team into giving a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick for McFadden and pick up one of those guys, the running game will be fine.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Great post, hope the Jets bite on that offer.

SilverNBlackPA

Silverandblack666 Says:
December 7th, 2012 at 10:45 am
If your a 3rd string player the first thing you need to do is beat out the 2nd string guy THEN you can try to beat out the starter.

++++++++

Leinart is junk.

Palmer takes a step toward becoming junk with each game that passes.

Pryor….might be junk. Or might not. We don’t know. Need to find out.

inonewordraider

Are you race baiting again?!?!?!

you cant see past skin color

do you have a football take?
__________
totally not race baiting, i truly wonder what you think, if you think they’re better than peyton given the right offense or what have i won’t comment on it afterward

“666, tell us what you like about palmer and why you think he deserves to be our starting qb? now this should be entertaining..”

Logic and common sense is never entertaining little dude….think about it why is “Honey Boo Boo” so popular…stupid people with low IQ’s are the entertaining ones haven’t you seen Jerry Springer….or read your own comments here?

“Pryor….might be junk. Or might not. We don’t know. Need to find out.”

You don’t think the coaches monitor these kinds of things in practice ALL SEASON LONG?

Sure we should give him and every bench player that we are considering keeping a look now that the season is over but that does not mean we should start him every game here on out but yeah we will see TP6 in some action soon I would guess…..there is a reason he is still 3rd string people just wanted to point that out to you Pryor fans.

VanHeathen30

DA and Nap-time may be worried that if TP6 comes in and plays well, or even compitently, they will look like kooks for not getting him in earlier.
At least he can run with the ball and avoid taking sacks with his back to the goalline…

Raider Mayne

Here’s a take from justblogbaby …

Another Palmer turnover, more defensive breakdowns and more mistakes ended a once close contest.

Just like that it’s business as usual. Palmer hits Darrius Heyward-Bey for another stat-padding touchdown that again makes Carson’s night look better than how horribly he truthfully played.

Aint that the fck truth ! Carsons garbage !

SilverNBlackPA

It’s going to be hard for me to even watch if they don’t start Pryor.

Start CP3 and either beat the worst team in the league and screw up your draft position a bit or lose and confirm yourself as worst team in the league

Either way, hard to really get up for it.

JT

A charger fan told me that raiders should keep DA

And that he likes Palmer better that Rivers

DMAC

SilverNBlackPA Says:
December 7th, 2012 at 10:48 am

Silverandblack666 Says:
December 7th, 2012 at 10:45 am
If your a 3rd string player the first thing you need to do is beat out the 2nd string guy THEN you can try to beat out the starter.

Palmer is a great QB I heard all I needed from Mike Mayok last night to confirm what I have always thought.

I know he is not elite but he did end the game with a better QB rating than Manning did in last nights game.

YOo will all be singing a different tune next year when this team is competitive and in every game because the guy wont have to throw 60 balls a game anymore.

Your so narrow minded and full of racism that you cant enjoy the fact we have a decent QB in Oakland something we can and will build around.

And if there is magically another Peyton manning in next years draft I seriously doubt if any Raider fan would upset if we took him.

DMAC

Silverandblack666 Says:
December 7th, 2012 at 10:54 am

“Pryor….might be junk. Or might not. We don’t know. Need to find out.”

You don’t think the coaches monitor these kinds of things in practice ALL SEASON LONG?
=========

No, not this coaching staff.
Reece?? took them all season to finally figure him out, when everyone and their momma knew what he is capable of.

JT

Silverandblack666 Says:
December 7th, 2012 at 11:02 am
Palmer is a great QB I heard all I needed from Mike Mayok last night to confirm what I have always thought.

—
Great???
No way…
Hes a average middle of the pack guy.
A GAME MANAGER
Not a elite QB.

DMAC

CP3 is just an average QB. Thats the truth. He probably won’t lead us to schit.

Raider Mayne

“666, tell us what you like about palmer and why you think he deserves to be our starting qb? now this should be entertaining..”

Palmer could throw 3 INTS in a game (he has many times ) and 666 will blame everyone else but Carson . In his eyes carson can do no wrong . He even brags about how Carsons QB rating was higher than Mannings like thats BETTER than fckn WINNING ! He loves some Carson Palmer balls all over his FACE !

SilverNBlackPA

Your so narrow minded and full of racism that you cant enjoy the fact we have a decent QB in Oakland something we can and will build around.

++++++

LMAO

It’s racist to want to see what Pryor can do?

I have other people who say it’s racist to want to keep CP3 in.

WHich is it?

Maybe it has nothing to do with race.

I’m as white as they come and I want to see the young black kid get a chance. Not racism. Football decision.

VanHeathen30

BTW: khalif Barnes is still holding onto Von Miller as he gets oin the charter back to Denver…
What a freakin’ stiff of an O-Line…

DMAC

Last season, Barnes was our weakest link on the O-line.
This year everyone on the O-line is garbage w/ the exception of Veldy.

fingers

What the Fk is a stat padding TD?…are you suggesting Palmer shouldn’t try and score tds when behind?… Or that the receivers shouldn’t try and catch passes when our teams behind?….that’s one of the dumbest comments I’ve seen on this blog…..all Qbs thrown Ints…..Manning threw one from about the same distance from the goal as Palmers was… Bree’s throws them… Favre threw them….if you don’t think a Qb should try and make up ground your an idiot…the problem is this teams so horrible making a comeback is almost impossible….. After the first donkey drive last night the Raiders were behind…. So are you saying ever point after that is padding stats…. What Fkn, nonsense ….if you don’t like Palmer just say so …. You could have Jesus Christ at Qb behind this team and he’d have to ” pad his stats….

DMAC

Last season we overachieved.
This season we underachieved.
We have regressed in all categories.
DA must go!

HC – Shaw
OC – Norv
DC – Romeo

SilverNBlackPA

DMAC Says:
December 7th, 2012 at 11:11 am
Last season, Barnes was our weakest link on the O-line.
This year everyone on the O-line is garbage w/ the exception of Veldy.

+++++++++++++

Wiz has come on really strong after a disastrous start to the season in my eyes. He’s really picking up the position.

SilverNBlackPA

HC – Dennis Allen (have to bite the bullet & give him one more year no matter what I think)

OC – Ken Whisenhunt (is going to get canned in Arizona, still a hell of a good OC, could be a good HC candidate if Allen faceplants. Change of scenery candidate)

DC – Ron Rivera (overmatched as an HC, a great DC, would implement the 3-4)

Allen reminds me of the young, nice, bright kid who falls in with a bad crowd (Knapp, Tarver, Pollack, Hoffman) and never recovers.

DMAC

fingers Says:
December 7th, 2012 at 11:12 am

What the Fk is a stat padding TD?…are you suggesting Palmer shouldn’t try and score tds when behind?… Or that the receivers shouldn’t try and catch passes when our teams behind?….that’s one of the dumbest comments I’ve seen on this blog…..all Qbs thrown Ints…..Manning threw one from about the same distance from the goal as Palmers was… Bree’s throws them… Favre threw them….if you don’t think a Qb should try and make up ground your an idiot…the problem is this teams so horrible making a comeback is almost impossible….. After the first donkey drive last night the Raiders were behind…. So are you saying ever point after that is padding stats…. What Fkn, nonsense ….if you don’t like Palmer just say so …. You could have Jesus Christ at Qb behind this team and he’d have to ” pad his stats….
=======

It isn’t just an INT.
It’s when the INT occur during critical part of the game.
Real talk!

Raider Mayne

Carson Palmer is a loser ! He will always be a loser ! He has never even won a playoff game . Tim Tebow has more PLAYOFF wins than Palmer .

fingers

This team is horrible from top to bottom….. We have maybe a dozen players that deserve to be back….that’s the reality…. The defense couldn’t stop a one legged midget

Ghost to the Post

Let’s not forget we had some players that we let go due to cap space this season that contributed to our winning last season. Also, name the starting WR’s from 2010, 2011, and 2012. We had guys on the 2010 roster that I thought would be incredible and now they aren’t even playing for us. We need to fix the Cap. We need to address the salaries of a few overpriced players (McFadden, Palmer) to name a few and then we need to go out in the Free agent market and make good moves that aren’t all that sexy but, get players who can come in and be a great supporting cast. We should look at TP 6 because we did use a draft pick on him. We should let him play a quarter and we should see what he does.

SilverNBlackPA

fingers Says:
December 7th, 2012 at 11:15 am
This team is horrible from top to bottom….. We have maybe a dozen players that deserve to be back….that’s the reality….

DMAC Says:
December 7th, 2012 at 11:11 am
Last season, Barnes was our weakest link on the O-line.
This year everyone on the O-line is garbage w/ the exception of Veldy.

+++++++++++++

Wiz has come on really strong after a disastrous start to the season in my eyes. He’s really picking up the position.
========

Wiz is a smart, strong kid. I knew he would eventually come around. Learning the zone was his biggest obstacle.

Briesel has got to go.
Coups days are over.
Barnes will be Barnes. (garbage)

fingers

Yep, Tim tebows teammates in Denver and New York are all behind him…. Any moron with eyes knows it was the Denver defense that helped tebow….they lost 4 of their last 5 and only backed into the playoffs cause our defense couldn’t stop a bunch of blind Nuns

DMAC

Ghost to the Post Says:
December 7th, 2012 at 11:16 am

Let’s not forget we had some players that we let go due to cap space this season that contributed to our winning last season.
=======

Like who?
Wimbley, Routt? No game changers there.
Thats an excuse.

LA to TheBay

677.Try Some Reality Says:
December 7th, 2012 at 10:18 am
LA To TheBay Says:
December 7th, 2012 at 10:13 am
Team MUST HAVES in 2013: